Growing Together In Christ

DISCIPLESHIP—GROWING TOGETHER IN FAITH

Discipleship is about helping people learn more about Jesus, understand His Word and grow stronger in their faith. It is walking alongside someone as they discover what it means to follow Christ in their everyday life.

Jesus placed great importance on discipleship. Before He returned to His Father, He gave His followers a clear responsibility.

Matthew 28:19–20:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (NKJV)

Jesus calls us to make disciples and teach people His ways. Discipleship is much more than sharing information. It is helping someone build a genuine relationship with Jesus and encouraging them to put His teaching into practice.

A person may believe in Jesus yet still have many questions. They may wonder how to pray, how to understand the Bible, how to recognise God’s direction or how to remain faithful during difficult times. Discipleship gives them a safe place to ask those questions and receive encouragement based upon the Word of God.

Colossians 2:6–7:

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” (NKJV)

Modern technology has given us wonderful opportunities to disciple people wherever they may be. Through the internet, email and written online chat, we can encourage someone who lives nearby or someone hundreds of kilometres away.

Some people find attending a church building difficult. Others may feel more comfortable beginning their journey by asking questions privately. Email and online chat allow people to communicate from a place where they feel comfortable. They can take their time, think about what they want to ask and read through the answers when they are ready.

An email can provide time to carefully consider a question and offer a thoughtful, Scripture-based response. Online chat can provide encouragement, support and guidance when somebody needs someone to talk to. These simple forms of communication can help a person feel heard, valued and supported as they grow in their faith.

The method may be modern, but the purpose remains firmly grounded in Scripture. We are still sharing God’s Word, encouraging one another and helping people follow Jesus. Technology simply allows us to reach people who may otherwise feel alone or disconnected.

Discipleship also benefits both people. As we encourage others, our own faith continues to grow. We listen, learn, pray and search the Scriptures together. Each conversation becomes an opportunity to draw closer to the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 5:11:

“Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” (NKJV)

Everyone should have the opportunity to receive encouragement during their Christian journey. Through warm conversation, patient teaching, prayer and regular contact, we can help one another become stronger and more confident in our faith.

Whether discipleship happens face-to-face, through an email or during an online chat, the heart behind it remains the same: people helping people follow Jesus, grow in His Word and live out their faith one day at a time.

HAVING SOMEONE TO WALK WITH YOU

One of the most valuable parts of discipleship is having someone you can talk to openly about your faith. Every Christian has questions from time to time. We may read a passage of Scripture and struggle to understand what it means or how it applies to our lives.

Sometimes we hear different Christians give different interpretations of the same passage. We may also come across opinions online that sound convincing but leave us feeling confused. Having someone to disciple you gives you the opportunity to talk through those questions with a trusted person.

A disciple can share what they believe a passage means, ask questions and explain where their confusion lies. The person discipling them can become a sounding board—someone who listens carefully, helps them consider the context and guides them back to the Word of God.

Proverbs 27:17:

“As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” (NKJV)

Good discipleship should always encourage a person to read and understand Scripture for themselves. The purpose is to help someone grow in their ability to study God’s Word, think carefully about what it says and apply it faithfully.

Acts 17:11:

“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” (NKJV)

This gives us a wonderful example. The Bereans listened with open hearts, and they also searched the Scriptures for themselves. In the same way, discipleship should lead us back to the Bible. Our personal opinions must always come under the authority of God’s Word.

It is also important to establish clear ground rules from the beginning. Both people should understand the purpose of the discipleship relationship, the kinds of matters that can be discussed and the areas that are outside its agreed purpose. This creates a safe and respectful environment for everyone involved.

Boundaries are important for both the disciple and the person being discipled. They help prevent misunderstandings and ensure that communication remains appropriate, helpful and centred upon spiritual growth. Confidentiality should also be discussed, along with any circumstances in which a person’s safety or wellbeing may require further help from an appropriate person.

Days and times for online discipleship should be arranged in advance and mutually agreed upon. This allows both people to give the conversation their full attention. It also helps create consistency, which is important when building trust and encouraging spiritual growth. Communication outside those arranged times should follow whatever boundaries have been agreed upon.

It can also be helpful to set a completion date when discipleship begins. For example, both people might agree to meet online once a week for eight or twelve weeks. At the end of that time, they can talk about the progress that has been made and decide together whether further discipleship would be helpful. The arrangement can then be extended by mutual agreement.

Discipleship works best when it is built upon trust, respect, honesty and a shared desire to grow in Christ. It gives people a place to ask questions, work through difficult passages and receive encouragement along the way. Most importantly, it continually points them towards Jesus and helps them become firmly grounded in the truth of God’s Word.

People have asked how discipleship can work online. For some, writing a message feels easier than sitting down face to face, especially when the matter is personal or the question feels difficult to ask.

You may have a question about Scripture that you worry will sound silly. You may be going through something you are not ready to discuss with a pastor you see every Sunday. The fear of feeling judged or embarrassed can make it hard to begin.

Online discipleship gives you another way to reach out. You can take time to put your thoughts into words and speak with someone outside your usual circle. My hope is to listen with care, answer honestly and offer guidance grounded in God’s Word. Every sincere question deserves to be treated with respect.